Language Learning Experience

I learned French and Spanish first in a very traditional grammar-based setting, learning about the language with little focus on using it on a daily basis. Then I learned content using the language as a tool to accomplish that goal. As a teacher, I've landed somewhere in the middle. As a lifelong learner, I've found ways to enjoy French in my daily life.

My instruction, through five different French and Spanish teachers, was very much grammar-based with fill in the blanks and verb conjugation exercises. It worked for me. On paper. However, I could barely carry on a conversation because I was too busy worrying that I'd gotten a conjugation wrong. Speaking in class was my nightmare, not only because I was terrified of public speaking, but because of the disconnect between creating the sentences in my head and then speaking them.

In college, I chose to major in French because it was the only thing in my life I'd ever really been passionate about. There I learned French in a completely different way - using French to discuss other content. I took history, art, music and literature classes in French, which taught me to really use the language, rather than learning about the language as I'd done in my high school language learning.

In order to maintain and improve my French skills, I take advantage of the affordances of the internet. French television, radio, podcasts, newspapers, and other media are easily available. My favorite among them is Le Meilleur Pâtissier, the French version of The Great British Bake-Off, which combines two of my favorite things.